Wicked Lit

by Various

Run Time: 15 - 40 min per play

Cast Size: Varies. Based on title.

Apply for:

Apply for:

Share This Show

Share This Show

Wicked Lit is a dynamic new collection of plays adapted from the classic horror literature of Charles Dickens, Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Washington Irving, H.P. Lovecraft, and more. These timeless stories have been ambitiously reimagined to create surprising and impactful theatrical experiences. Originally devised as immersive theater, the shows in the Wicked Lit collection have previously been staged in cemeteries, museums, mansions, and hotels. Produce them in a theater or in a creative guerrilla setting and watch these chilling horror classics come alive.

Synopsis

The following titles are available in the Volume 1Print Edition:

The Body Snatcher by Paul Millet2F, 3M | 35 MinutesWith the help of two childhood friends, a female medical student accepts a job working for a prominent doctor but gruesome tasks and unspeakable horrors await her when she arrives at the lab.

The Cask of Amontillado by Paul Millet1F, 2M | 30 MinutesIn this retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting classic, betrayal, unrequited love, and deception awaits Fortunato as he follows his longtime friend into the catacombs to fetch a cask of wine.

The Chimes by Jonathan Josephson1F, 2M, Ensemble (Flexible) | 30 MinutesDickens’ novella is brought to life with a bite of horror as a proud parent discovers the repercussions of not accepting his daughter’s choices by the goblins who haunt a church.

The Grove of Rashomon by Jonathan Josephson3F, 4M (Flexible) | 30 MinutesA mother investigates the brutal crimes committed against her daughter and son-in-law, a samurai, in this reimaging of the iconic short story that inspired the film Rashomon,Las Lloronas by Jonathan Josephson5F, 3M (Flexible) | 35 MinutesTold through storytelling, dance, and music, this famous Mexican folk legend captures the story of a desperate mother who murders her children by drowning them in a river.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Jonathan Josephson1F, 3M, 1 Flexible | 30 MinutesWashington Irving’s iconic tale of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow comes to life in this lyrical reimaging of the classic story.

The Monkey’s Paw by Jeff Garcia Rack1F, 4M | 35 MinutesBased on the supernatural short-story, three wishes are granted to a down-and-out family but they must pay a terrifying price for interfering with fate.

The Tell-Tale Heart by Paul Millet2F, 5M | 40 MinutesA series of apparitions haunts a disturbed man who must answer to police about the disappearance of his uncle.

The Unnamable by Jeff Garcia Rack1F, 2M | 35 MinutesThe quest for an ancient artifact leads two men to a cemetery where they uncover a family curse and unleash a beast from another dimension.

The following titles are available in the Volume 2 Print Edition:

Anansi and the Demons by Jonathan Josephson1F, 3M, 3-6 F/M | 30-40 MinutesA British colonial ambassador tries to rid the African village in his charge of a purported demon but, Anansi the trickster and her friends have other ideas.

The Doll by Jeff Garcia Rack4F, 1M | 40 MinutesIn this bone-chilling adaptation of Algernon Blackwood’s novelette, when a young girl is given a package that mysteriously arrives on the doorstep, an evil force enters the household that turns their quiet world upside down.The Ebony Frame by Susannah Myrvold3F, 2M | 42 MinutesHenry Devigne is reunited with his lover from a past life, through the dark magic of an enchanted portrait. The only catch is, he has to give up his soul to keep her. He's more than happy to do it, but their satanic wedding doesn't go as planned.The Fall of the House of Usher by Paul Millett1F, 2M | 35 MinutesNathaniel Dawson has received a desperate and mysterious letter from his friend Roderick Usher. When he arrives, he is drawn into a nightmare world that brings a family's horrifying past into an even more twisted and perverse present.From Beyond Adapted by Trey NicholsShort Story by H.P. Lovecraft1F, 3M or 2F, 2M, Flexible | 40-45 MinutesWhen a great discovery turns deadly, a highly regarded scientist is forced to choose between trusting his eyes or following his brain in order to survive. H.P. Lovecraft’s tale of insanity and science gone awry comes to life in this chilling adaptation. A Ghost Story by Jonathan Josephson 1M, 2 Flexible | 18 MinutesAdapted from Mark Twain, hilarity ensues when a young student encounters a Ghost with an identity crisis and his Shadow who is determined to banish his soul to hell.

The New Catacomb Adapted by Jonathan Josephson1F, 2M | 30-35 MinutesBerger, the American, and Kennedy, the Brit, are great friends, and have been since their days at university. But when Berger makes a life-altering discovery in the depths of a long-since forgotten Roman crypt – their friendship may be put to the ultimate test.The Shadowy Third by Paul Millet3F, 1M | 40 MinutesA shy young girl. An insane mother. A good-hearted doctor with only the best of intentions. One of these things is not as it seems. Or perhaps two. Maybe all three?The Yellow Wallpaper by Jeff Garcia Rack 2F, 1M | 35 Minutes A new mother is confined to her room for bedrest, however “rest cure” is anything but, as she begins to see things behind the yellow wallpaper that dominates her bedroom.

Wicked Lit is one of those amazing opportunities to feel the thrill of true fear, as if you were transported to another place and time… From the moment I arrived I knew this was going to be good; I had no idea it would leave me speechless!

Paul Millet is the artistic director of Unbound Productions, a Los Angeles based theatre company whose mission it is to adapt literature into new plays. For Unbound, Paul has adapted works by Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Dickens, just to name a few. Also a prolific theatre director, Paul has directed numerous world premieres for Unbound as well as multiple productions all over the greater Los Angeles area. In his spare time he enjoys a successful career as a television editor. Paul is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Theatre Communications Group, Motion Picture Editors Guild and LA Stage Alliance.

Anansi and the Demons by Jonathan Josephson

The Chimes by Jonathan Josephson

A Ghost Story by Jonathan Josephson

The Grove of Rashomon by Jonathan Josephson

Las Lloronas by Jonathan Josephson

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Jonathan Josephson

The New Catacomb Adapted by Jonathan Josephson

Forty of Jonathan’s plays have been produced at site-specific locations, schools and theatres around the world including 27 Ways I Didn’t Say “Hi” to Laurence Fishburne (Actors Theatre of Louisville – Humana Festival, Milwaukee Rep – RepLab), Grandpa and the Gay Rabbi (Winner – 2016 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Play Festival), 30K Arabian Nights (San Jose Rep – SJREAL), The Legend(s) of Sleepy Hollow (Chance Theater) and the Giant and The Pixie (Chance Theater, New York SummerFest). Jonathan is the Executive Director of Unbound Productions in Los Angeles and is one of the co-creators of the multi-award winning immersive theatre events Wicked Lit, History Lit, and Mystery Lit. Plays written for Unbound include The New Catacomb, Las Lloronas, The Grove of Rashomon, and Anansi and the Demons (Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery); The Garden Partyand The Girl Who Owned a Bear(Pasadena Museum History); and Holmes, Sherlock, and the Consulting Detective (Los Angeles County Arboretum). Jonathan has received two individual Artist Awards from the Pasadena Arts Council, is a five-time Finalist for Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Heideman Award and has been named a Finalist for both the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and the City Theatre National Short Play Award. Fourteen of Jonathan’s plays are published by Steele Spring Stage Rights, Samuel French, YouthPLAYS, Playscripts, Applause Theatre & Cinemabooks, and Original Works Publishing. He is a proud member of Playground-LA’s Writer’s Pool, the Antaeus Playwright’s Lab, the Dramatists Guild of America and a Lifetime Member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights. B.A. in Theatre: Playwriting from UCSD. [jonathanjosephson.com]

The Doll by Jeff G. Rack

The Monkey's Paw by Jeff G. Rack

The Unnamable by Jeff G. Rack

The Yellow Wallpaper by Jeff G. Rack

Jeff is one of the co-creators and the producing artistic director of Unbound Productions, a Los Angeles based theatre company whose mission is to adapt literature into new plays. Along with his writing and directing, Jeff has been recognized for his production design work in theatre and film. He is also an actor, magician, special effects artist, ride show designer, graphic artist, filmmaker and teacher for a Los Angeles film school. He lives with his wife, Christine, in Burbank, California.

The Ebony Frame by Susannah Myrvold

Susannah Myrvold first came to Unbound Productions, the Los Angeles based theatre company that produces Wicked Lit, as an actor, playing Jennie in The Yellow Wallpaper. She went on the play a vampire in Wake Not the Dead, a ghost in The Tell-Tale Heart, and a buffoon in Masque of the Red Death. She has been acting like a playwright since 2015, when The Ebony Frame was produced.

From Beyond adapted by Trey Nichols | Short Story by H.P. Lovecraft

Trey Nichols is an acclaimed playwright, actor, and teacher. His plays include Deep Dish Apocalypse, Fathers at a Game, A Lesson in Proper Bow-Fluffing Technique, The Night Gwen Stacy Died, The Meadows, PCH, Todd’s Hollywood Tours, Move, and Impact. Trey is a member of Moving Arts, a Los Angeles theatre company dedicated to developing and producing new plays. For the last few years, Trey has been active with the company’s acclaimed, immersive theatre phenomenon The Car Plays, with performances atfestivals at the La Jolla Playhouse, Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, and REDCAT in Los Angeles. Trey is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights. He received a B.S. in Theatre from Northwestern University. Trey also moderates a popular playwriting workshop held in a secret lair in Venice. More at www.treynichols.net.

Performance Royalties are based on theater particulars. Please fill out an application for a personalized quote.

Billing responsibilities, pertinent copyright information, and playwrights' biographies are available in the show rider that comes with your license agreement.

“A morbid delight.” –Pasadena Weekly

“Topping the Un-Toppable! So this is not your reviewer’s first experience at Wicked Lit …but it may just be the best—and that’s saying quite a lot.” –CreepyLA

“Our heads melted from how fantastic it was!” –Theme Park Adventure

“With great anticipation we…were completely blown away by how much fun we had.” –Theme Park Adventure

"Another Run, Don’t Walk, Year! You may be tired at this point of reading raves about Unbound Productions’ extraordinary horror-themed theater Wicked Lit offerings, but you can’t be tired of seeing their shows." –Creepy LA

"One of the 10 reasons Halloween is better in LA" –Time Out Los Angeles

"The last three productions sold out, so grab tickets ASAP." –Los Angeles Magazine

"...should not be missed by anyone interested in an immersive and kinetic theater experience!" –Culture Spot LA

"[Unbound Productions is a] uniquely amazing theater company... The cast and crew of Wicked Lit do a phenomenal job at immersing their guests into the stories and making them feel a part of it all.” –We Are Indie Horror

"Each production is fascinating... the writing and the acting are top-notch!" –Edge Magazine

Materials: your materials will be sent to you two months prior to your opening date and will include everything necessary for your production and can be ordered in Printed or Digital format. Printed Materials are provided on unbound three-hole punched loose-leaf paper while digital Materials are provided via email as downloadable PDF files for you to print in-house. All materials are yours to keep! No deposits, no returns.

The required materials for Wicked Lit include:

You will receive production scripts for the number of actors featured in the title you are producing along with extra scripts for the director and stage manager.

Available Products:

Wicked Lit Print Edition - The beautifully designed anthology, available at wholesale costs to sell in your lobby!

Gallery

Other Versions

Available Products

Wicked Lit

by Various

WICKED LIT Volume 1: A beautifully-bound collection of plays which includes The Body Snatcher, The Cask of Amontillado, The Chimes, The Grove of Rashomon, Las Lloronas, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Monkey’s Paw, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Unnamable. Shipped within 3 business days of purchase. Not intended for production purposes.

19.95

WICKED LIT Volume 2: A beautifully-bound collection of plays which includes Anansi and the Demons, The Doll, The Ebony Frame, The Fall of the House of Usher, From Beyond, A Ghost Story, The New Catacomb, The Shadowy Third, and The Yellow Wallpaper. Shipped within 3 business days of purchase. Not intended for production purposes.

19.95

Product

Description

Price

WICKED LIT Volume 1: A beautifully-bound collection of plays which includes The Body Snatcher, The Cask of Amontillado, The Chimes, The Grove of Rashomon, Las Lloronas, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Monkey’s Paw, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Unnamable. Shipped within 3 business days of purchase. Not intended for production purposes.

$19.95

WICKED LIT Volume 2: A beautifully-bound collection of plays which includes Anansi and the Demons, The Doll, The Ebony Frame, The Fall of the House of Usher, From Beyond, A Ghost Story, The New Catacomb, The Shadowy Third, and The Yellow Wallpaper. Shipped within 3 business days of purchase. Not intended for production purposes.